Salesman represents a major shift forward in documentary filmmaking as we know it today. Made in the mid-1960s by brothers Albert and David Maysles (Gimme Shelter, Grey Gardens) along with Charlotte Zwerin and released in 1969, the film stands as a landmark in the direct cinema movement. Salesman follows four Irish-Catholic salesmen from Boston as they traverse New England and Southeastern Florida to sell expensive Bibles to mostly low-income households. The way in which these filmmakers were able to capture these slice-of-life moments and craft them into a commentary on the human condition is something that will truly stick with you.
The titular salesmen at the center of the feature are the affectionately nicknamed Paul “The Badger” Brennan, James “The Rabbit” Baker, Charles “The Gipper” McDevitt and Raymond “The Bull” Martos. These four gentlemen are at times both good friends and fierce competitors due to the nature of the business. They also have their own styles of selling that correspond with their nicknames fairly accurately, which benefits them to varying degrees. Selling directly to consumers door to door really surged in the years following World War II. More often than not, the targets of these salesmen were the hardworking homemakers that were present during the day as they made their rounds. When our subjects are applying the pressure to these families that do not appear to be able to afford such indulgences, the viewer simultaneously hopes for them to make a sale while your heart breaks for the family that is barely getting by with what they have.
With over one hundred hours of footage shot, it is Charlotte Zwerin that carefully shaped the film into a lean 90-minute tale that encapsulates the spirit of American life. There are moments of genuine pathos as these gentlemen quietly fight to scrape together a living while being met with consistent rejection. There is a special type of person that can withstand this barrage, and, as the film progresses, the will and fortitude of each of these men is revealed. It is also an interesting to analyze the commodification of the holy text that they are hauling door to door, the sacred nature that is being tarnished in pursuit of the American dream.
The Maysles studied the basic tenets of direct cinema from Robert Drew, and Salesman marks one of the first feature length films to employ such techniques. Direct cinema is generally marked by the desire of filmmakers to have as little impact on the subjects as possible while the camera is capturing the “truth as it happens.” During the production of the movie, Albert was responsible for lighting and shooting the movie while David captured the sound. The actions of the salesmen and all whom they interact with are presented without any scripting, coaching, narration or additional talking head interviews for deeper insight. This may seem unremarkable when compared to modern documentaries, but this was an extraordinary step forward in style when it was produced.
Video Quality
The Criterion Blu-Ray is sourced from a newly restored 4K digital transfer undertaken by the Academy Film Archive, The Film Foundation, and the George Lucas Family Foundation. This is a very nice looking transfer that eliminates nearly all of the print damage and maintains good film grain support throughout. When compared to the trailer or unrestored clips in the special features, there is a night and day difference. This beautiful restoration gives the film the proper presentation that it deserves.
Audio Quality
The audio soundtrack is presented in lossless PCM 1.0 monaural. The dialogue is clear and consistent throughout, but there are minor sound issues due to the source material and how the documentary was filmed on the fly. English subtitles are provided and come in handy due to some of the thick Irish accents at play. The film sounds as good as it has ever sounded on this Blu-Ray.
Special Features
The Criterion Blu-Ray of Salesman includes a multi-page fold out booklet featuring the essay “For God And Company” by Michael Chaiken, the curator of the Bob Dylan Archive in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Additional supplements include:
- Audio Commentary: Recorded in 2001, directors Albert Maysles and Charlotte Zwerin offer interesting insights into the filmmaking process and their interpretations of specific scenes. They also provide more details on the legacy of the film and the lives of some of the salesmen after filming concluded.
- David and Albert Maysles: A 31-minute interview from 1969 with directors David and Albert Maysles moderated by Newsweek critic Jack Kroll. The interview aired as part of the series called Camera Three. This interview is divided into eight sections ranging from the unique style of filming to analysis of the core themes of the movie.
- Bill Hader: A 10-minute interview with SNL alum Bill Hader in which he shares his love for Salesman and the work of the directors. Hader also discusses his experience parodying the film for his IFC series Documentary Now!
- Globesman: The full-length episode from Documentary Now! in which Bill Hader and Fred Armisen parody Salesman. This episode is hilariously inventive and precise in its execution and Criterion should be applauded for including it in this release.
- The Rabbit on NPR’s Weekend Edition: A 10-minute interview from January 2000 with James Baker aka “The Rabbit” which was featured on National Public Radio’s Weekend Edition. Baker shares his experience with the movie along with supplemental anecdotes from his son.
- Trailer: The original theatrical trailer for Salesman is provided.
Final Thoughts
Salesman has become something of a cult-classic over the years due to the hypnotic nature of watching these men attempt every trick in the book in an effort to get by. This Blu-Ray from the Criterion Collection presents one of the all-time greatest documentaries with a wonderfully restored audio and video presentation along with some very worthwhile extras. Highly Recommended
Salesman can be purchased directly from Criterion or various online retailers.
Note: Images presented in this review are not meant to be reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
